Texas' Best & Rarest Doo Wop

Killer tracks by Sunny Ozuna & The Sunliners, The Dinos, The Houserockers, Johnny H. & The Sinceres, The Cruisers (not the Gamble label Cruisers) and The Commands among others. Well put together set with liner notes, photos and good sound quality.
7 out of 10.

The Larks

Part of the Jamie / Guyden Doo Wop series, The Larks dropped some nice slow cuts from Doo Wop to soul ballads. This release also includes "Dedicated To You" featuring the lovely voice of Barbara Mason.
7 out of 10.

Love Unlimited

This release is half disco influenced cuts and half sweet soul cuts. Very nice sweet soul jams such as "Walking In The Rain", "I Belong To You" and "Share A Little Love In Your Heart". The late Barry White wrote or co-wrote a lot of their material.

7 out of 10.

The Manhattans

With one of the longest careers of any soul group, The Manhattans treated us to some unforgettable classics. It seems the more you dig into their music the more treasures you find. From early hits like "Follow Your Heart" and "I Call It Love" to "It's The Only Way" and "Kiss And Say Goodbye" The Manhattans are one group you cannot leave out of your collection. The sound quality on "People Get Ready" varies but the rest are solid.
8 out of 10.

The Chantels

 

One of the best, if not the best female group from the Doo Wop era! These three releases will get you most of their material. Too many good tracks to list them all. A definate add for your collection.
9 out of 10.

The Edsels

Pretty much remembered soley because of their dance hit "Rama Lama Ding Dong", The Edsels were able to cut a few nice slow tracks. "Three Precious Words", "Count The Tears", "What Brought Us Together" and "Do You Love Me" stand out in this release. Good liner notes and sound quality as it has come to be expected from the folks at Relic Records.
5 out of 10.

The Shells

The Collectables releases includes "Sipping Soda" which is not on the Juke Box Treasures but the rest are included. The Golden Hits release also includes the rare "Do You Love Me" which is more sweet soul than Doo Wop. If you can find the Golden Hits release is a better choice. Other highlights include "Better Forget Him", Deep In My Heart" and "Explain It To Me".
6 out of 10.

World Famous Oldies

I like the concept here of bringing forward rare covers. There are tracks by the original artists that are re-recordings or alternate takes along with a fair share of repeats. The Tony Owens cut "Confessin' A Feeeling" is the original not a cover version. A couple of raggae cuts are mixed in which I could have definately done without. Sound quality varies.
7 out of 10.

Philly Soul

This release kicks off with a killer sweet soul cut by the Emanons then half way though we get hit with another killer cut by Ronnie Walker. A few other decent tracks by Ronnie Walker, The Temptones and Fletcher Walker III. Excellent sound quality.
7 out of 10.